Ethylbenzene

Ethylbenzene, cyclic hydrocarbon solvent and intermediate

CIB&RC CLEARANCE · NDPS CLEARANCE

HSN 2902 60 00 (Ethylbenzene) is subject to registration and import permit requirements administered by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC) under the Insecticides Act, 1968, where the substance figures in the Schedule to that Act, and to Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) import certificate requirements under Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 for any scheduled psychotropic use. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29 and mandatory Chapter 29 declaration qualifiers under Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Circular 23/2023-Cus apply as additional clearance requirements.

What this is

HSN code

2902 60 00

Chapter

29 · Organic chemicals

Primary regulator

CIB&RC · Insecticides Act, 1968 and Insecticides Rules, 1971

Customs documentation

Registration certificate from CIB&RC
Import permit from CIB&RC
Chapter 29 qualifiers from CBIC

Applicable Partner Government Agencies

CIB&RCCIB&RC·Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee

NDPSNDPS·Narcotics Control Bureau

Procedural directions for customs clearance are issued by: Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Compliance steps

1
Where ethylbenzene is listed in the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, obtain registration and an import permit from the Secretariat of the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee before filing the bill of entry. Note that ports at which insecticides may be imported are restricted under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; confirm the designated port before shipment.
Insecticides Act, 1968 · Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29
2
If the consignment falls under any scheduled NDPS category, obtain an import certificate under Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 prior to import. Imports not qualifying under the medical and scientific purposes provision of Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 are governed by Appendix I to the ITC (HS) Schedule.
Rule 53 of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · Chapter VII-A of the NDPS Rules, 1985 · ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29
3
File mandatory additional qualifiers in the import declaration as required for Chapter 29 commodities under CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2, with effect from 15 October 2023. Non-compliance with the qualifier requirement triggers bill-of-entry deficiency and customs detention.
CBIC Circular 23/2023-Cus dated 30-09-2023, paras 4.1 and 4.2

A word of counsel

The most frequent error on this tariff line is treating CIB&RC registration as unnecessary because ethylbenzene is primarily known as a petrochemical intermediate rather than a pesticide. If the specific formulation or end-use brings the substance within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, the registration and port restriction under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971 are fully operative regardless of the importer's intended application — customs officers are authorised to detain consignments where CIB&RC documentation is absent. Additionally, importers of hazardous quantities must verify whether an insurance policy is required under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 per S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992.

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Frequently asked

Does HSN 2902 60 00 require BIS certification?

No, ethylbenzene is not covered by any BIS Quality Control Order. Import is governed by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee under the Insecticides Act, 1968 where the substance is scheduled, and by the NDPS Rules, 1985 where any scheduled psychotropic categorisation applies, with DGFT ITC (HS) policy condition 2 to Chapter 29 as the overarching policy overlay.

Are there port restrictions on importing ethylbenzene classified as an insecticide?

Yes. Where ethylbenzene falls within the Schedule to the Insecticides Act, 1968, import is restricted to ports designated under Rule 45 of the Insecticides Rules, 1971; shipment to a non-designated port renders the consignment liable to seizure.

When does the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 obligation apply to an ethylbenzene import?

The insurance obligation under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 is triggered when the import of specified hazardous substances exceeds the threshold quantities prescribed in S.O. 227(E) dated 24-03-1992 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Last verified against gazette notifications: 2026-05-16. Source: CIB&RC / NDPS / DGFT / CBIC / Indian Customs CUSDATA.